SUPPORTING UKRAINIANS THROUGH A HARSH WINTER 

It has been four years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Over recent months, Russia has significantly increased drone attacks on local infrastructure, which has impacted food, fuel and transportation.

For Pastor Yan, who leads Hope Church in Izmail, it is all too real. Every day, he and his team are ministering to people facing the fallout of this war and the harshness of a Ukrainian winter.

“Today, our team visited a 21 year old woman, who recently gave birth”, shared Yan. “She is a single mother. She lives in a village in very difficult conditions. During our visit, we brought hygiene supplies and essential groceries. We also gave her a copy of the Gospel of John. She is very open and sincere and has accepted our invitation to attend church. We will continue to serve and support her.”

Since December, there has been an increased focus by Russia on the Budjak region of Ukraine. There have been frequent attempts to isolate this area from mainland Ukraine, using starvation tactics to try to weaken the resolve of those living there. Consequently, the electricity grid only supplies power for a few hours each day, the cost of fuel – petrol and firewood – has dramatically increased, and Yan has reported panic-buying as people are fearful of being left without essentials.

Inevitably, when prices go up and basic resources are scarce, it’s those on the lowest incomes that get hit the hardest. State pensions and benefits are low, often less than £75/month, which is not enough to live on.

With the support of Feed The Hungry, Yan’s team are providing firewood to vulnerable people, to help them stay warm through the harsh winter months. They’re also buying petrol to run electrical generators, helping people to be able to charge their phones and use the internet when the electrical grid is off.

The team are also supplying ingredients to food trucks that operate, much like a soup kitchen, in different locations, providing hot meals to over 500 people each week.

Yan continued, “We also continue to serve in remote villages, where people live without electricity for 18-20 hours a day. Many are cold, afraid, and losing hope. But we go to them with food, warmth, prayer, and the reminder that they are not forgotten. Thank you for standing with us, praying for us, and helping us bring light into the darkness. Your support is changing lives and bringing hope where it is needed most.”